Over 60% of the nation's carrots are produced in Jeju, yet the island can’t seem to break the cycle of overproduction and plunging prices. Here’s Mike Laidman to explain what’s being done to solve those problems.
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60% of nation’s carrots grown in Jeju

Jeju carrots account for more than 60% of Korea’s total carrot production.
Carrots are now one of the most popular winter crops, but are facing drops in value due to continued overproduction.

To solve the problem, Nonghyup has gone so far as to dispose of large amounts of the vegetable, but this hasn’t been enough to solve the issue.


Last year the price of 20 kg of carrots dropped from 17,000 won to 13,000 won.


To solve the problem, local organizations and farmers have stepped up and created a self-funding program. The program collects 100 won per 20kg box of carrots from approximately 490 farmers from Gujwa-eup, Seongsan-eup, and Seogwipo, all of whom are members of the Jeju Carrot Common Corporation.

This is the first time that farmers have created such a system for carrots. The funds will be used to help better control supply, increase quality, and improve marketing efforts.

INTERVIEW
Goh Kwang-deok / Jeju Carrot Common Corporation
Within 2 to 3 years, we plan to initiate a nationwide self-funding system to improve our business as well as promote consumption through the media and events.
< 고광덕 / (사)제주당근연합회 사무국장 >
2~3년 내에 전국의 생산자들이 함께 할 수 있는 전국적인 의무자조금 단체를 결성하고 자조금 규모를 키워서 제대로된 수급조절 사업이나 ///
언론을 통한 소비촉진 행사를 충분히 진행할 수 있을 거라 생각합니다.

[Camera]
Hyeon Gwang-hoon

The self-funding program began this year. So far, 400 million won has been collected. 200 million won was provided through the Carrot Common Corporation and matching funds were provided by the government. Jeju plans to expand the self-funding program to other crops, too.

INTERVIEW
Kim Myoung-hoon / Provincial dept. of horticulture
Winter crops will continue to increase, and a self-funding program for cabbages will be created, as well. This will help sustain competitive growth.
< 김명훈 / 제주도 원예특작담당 >
앞으로 월동무도 확대해 나갈 것이고 양배추도 자조금을 조성할 계획입니다. 자생력과 경쟁력이 높아질 것으로 보고 있습니다.

[Reporter]
Mike Laidman

The new program for carrots should not only help to control supply, but also bring some much-needed economic stability to farmers.

Mike Laidman, KCTV